Synonyms for ALTERNATIVE
ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv, æl-al·ter·na·tive

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. alternative

   A choice may be among many things; an alternative is in the strictest sense a choice between two things; oftener it is one of two things between which a choice is to be made, and either of which is the alternative of the other; as, the alternative of surrender is death; or the two things between which there is a choice may be called the alternatives; both Mill and Gladstone are quoted as extending the meaning of alternative to include several particulars, Gladstone even speaking of "the fourth and last of these alternatives." Option is the right or privilege of choosing; choice may be either the right to choose, the act of choosing, or the thing chosen. A person of ability and readiness will commonly have many resources. Pick, from the Saxon, and election, from the Latin, picture the objects before one, with freedom and power to choose which he will; as, there were twelve horses, among which I could take my pick. A choice, pick, election, or preference is that which suits one best; an alternative is that to which one is restricted; a resource, that to which one is glad to betake oneself.

   Synonyms:
   choice, election, option, pick, preference, resource

   Antonyms:
   compulsion, necessity

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 1 vote

1. alternative

   Synonyms:
   choice, resource, opinion

   Antonyms:
   compulsion, quandary, necessity, fix

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.5 / 2 votes

1. option, alternative, choiceadjective

   one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen

   "what option did I have?"; "there no other alternative"; "my only choice is to refuse"

   Synonyms:
   choice, selection, alternative, option, pick

   Antonyms:
   conjunctive, conventional, primary

2. alternate, alternative, substituteadjective

   serving or used in place of another

   "an alternative plan"

   Synonyms:
   alternate, alternating(a), utility(a), ersatz, alternate(a), alternative, substitute(a), substitute

   Antonyms:
   conventional, primary, conjunctive

3. alternativeadjective

   necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities

   "alternative possibilities were neutrality or war"

   Synonyms:
   substitute, alternate

   Antonyms:
   conventional, primary, conjunctive

4. alternativeadjective

   pertaining to unconventional choices

   "an alternative life style"

   Synonyms:
   substitute, alternate

   Antonyms:
   primary, conjunctive, conventional

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. alternativenoun

   Synonyms:
   choice (between two things)

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:5.0 / 1 vote

1. List of paraphrases for "alternative":

   alternatives, alternate, variant, replacement, shadow, option, substitute, substitution, other, spare, alternativo, alternativa, surrogate, parallel, reciprocating, choice, different, solution, alternativas, alternating, makeshift, tabbed, choices, replace, various, workaround, lieu

How to pronounce ALTERNATIVE?

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How to use ALTERNATIVE in a sentence?

1. Ben Carson:

   The program that I have outlined … largely eliminates the need for people to be dependent on government programs like that, i would never get rid of the programs. I would provide people with an alternative.

2. Greg Clark:

   The inescapable conclusion of an extensive analysis is that ... the costs that would be incurred by consumers and taxpayers would be so much higher than alternative sources of low carbon power, that it would be irresponsible to enter into a contract with the provider.

3. Su Tzu-yun:

   It helps boost a soldier’s courage and aggressiveness, if soldiers engage in a mission that is not suitable for firing weapons, they may also use bayonet as an alternative option.

4. Degan Ali:

   There has been quite a lot of panic from the diaspora with some (money transfer) branches actually being closed, there is a bit of scrambling trying to find alternative (money transfer operators) to work with.

5. Steven Hollon:

   Vanderbilt University in Tennessee's pretty clear that mindfulness can have an effect, we are just beginning to understand how this may become a viable alternative to medication particularly for people who don't want to stay on medication forever.